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Event description

Description

SerViCe and Voice Found have united to deliver a symposium that will not only teach, but will leave you inspired!

Our day features some of the most compelling stories of resiliency and hope delivered by survivors of crime. In addition, you will learn from front line workers and hear about support available in the community.

Kerri Tadeu - Kerri is a psychiatric nurse and author of ‘Secrets Keep You Sick.’ This soon to be published book describes the intimate details of the brokenness borne from avoiding certain death after being kidnapped by a stranger at 11 years old, sexually assaulted and keeping the attack a secret for 20 years. Kerri guides her listeners to be empowered and inspired as she shares how she moved from pain to purpose by sharing what happened for her, not what happened to her. Rebounding from extreme adversity, she co‐created SerViCe‐ Soldier, Veteran & Civilian with Master Collin Fitzgerald (retired) and Warrant Officer Renay Groves. An organization encapsulating the belief that we all can make our pain work for us instead of against by living a life of purpose.

Master Corporal Collin Ryan Fitzgerald, (retired) is a Canadian soldier who was among the first recipients of the Medal of Military Valour a Canadian military decoration, in recognition of actions under enemy fire in Afghanistan. He belonged to Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. According to Fitzgerald, he stigma of having PTSD can be paralyzing and debilitating. Only when he openly acknowledged his PTSD and talked about it did his individual journey to healing begin. A firsthand account of his journey of living in denial of his PTSD symptoms and how he fell from grace as an Afghan war veteran by self medicating his PTSD symptoms which led to conflicts with the law and how he found his way out of the dark hole he was in. He shares with his audience his insight into understanding that hurt people, hurt people and healed people, heal people.

Voices of Hope Panel Members:

Panel Facilitator: Dexter Nyuurnibe - Dexter is a noted speaker and advocate for youth mental health in Canada. Currently a Community Champion for Mental Health clothing line Wear Your label, Jack Talks Speaker and member of the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s Youth Advisory Group on the national conference for Transitional Youth & Emerging Adults, his battle with mental illness was shared as a part of national documentary, Clara’s Big Ride.

"I'm a storyteller. I'm an advocate. I'm a survivor. I believe in the amazing strength and power of an individual person's story to help and uplift those around them."

Paulie O'Byrne - Paulie is a 31 year old male, who at the age of 21 was locked in his apartment and sexually victimized by a minor hockey president. He's experienced drug and alcohol dependency for many years, as well as a tripod of mental illnesses.Incredibly proud of his new found sobriety (30months) he has have found freedom in sharing his story with others. One of the ways he does this is through the organization he founded - I'm 1 in 5

"I want victims of sexually based crimes to know they are not alone; that its possible to heal and recover with the right support system."

Tabitha McDonald -Tabitha is an Ottawa advocate and the Adoption Council of Canada's Youth Speak Out Coordinator. She is also a former Crown ward who entered the child welfare system at 7, and is a survivor of child trafficking. Tabitha transitioned out of government care without a permanent family at 18. Today, she helps other youth in and from government care share their stories, and she is a leader in the national youth permanency movement in Canada.

"Weaving stories of hope and inspiration out of the shadows of my life, I want to address the stigma, shame and misunderstanding that continue to contribute to the pervasiveness of childhood sexual abuse and human trafficking across Canada."

Christina Cyr - Christina is a happily married mom of 2 boys living in the Quinte area who loves being an active member of her community through volunteering and attending local events (Walk a Mile in Her Shoes- to bring awareness to Domestic Violence to Strut for Strays-where she supports the cause and her sister's local dog grooming business).Christina was abused by a family member as a young child and a youth.

"I want to promote the fact that there are a variety of services available in the Quinte area and to help survivors of abuse and trauma."